13. Providence (1977)

Providence (1977) directed by Alain Resnais

Film Club presents Providence (1977) by Alain Resnais

There was a week hiatus but film club is back for at least (hopefully) three more screenings  before this semester is over! The next film is Providence which is a blend of dramatic narrative with quite unusual editing that accompany the motif  of ‘memory’ that reoccur (well, it is the entirety of the film so to speak) in so many of Resnais’ works. The film is essentially a story being told by a dying writer named Clive Langham (played by John Gielgud) and his subjective portrayal of friends and family through events which are repeated over multiple iterations with variations, analogous to the way we remember memories, always ever so slightly distorted from one recollection to another. The trailer is quite useless for this film but rest assured that the film is enjoyable to watch (and not too esoteric or art housey).

Screening on Thursday, November 24th, 2011
6:00 to 8:30 pm
@ Burke Science Building (BSB) 105

Here’s the trailer:

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076574/

12. Impromptu Film Screening

IMPROMPTU FILM SCREENING!

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
Psychology Building Lobby

What will we watch you ask? It’s a surprise.

11. Network (1976)

Peter Finch as Howard Beale, an ex-TV anchor gone mad, in Network (1976)

Film Club presents Network (1976) by Sidney Lumet

The plot of the film is centralized around an aging news anchor Howard Beale who is fired by the network due to poor ratings. This event is a catalyst that turns Howard Beale into a raving truth-teller who becomes an exploitable goldmine for the network. Despite being made over 30 years ago, the film relevancy even more emphatic as it describes the situation today about television, news, and the main stream media. A classic that resonates truer than when the film was made.

*because conference services gave us an unusable room last Wednesday, we’ll be screening Network on Thursday instead!

Screening on Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
6:00 to 8:30 pm
@ John Hodgins Engineering Building (JHE) A101 

Here’s the trailer: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074958/

10. Brick (2005)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Brendan in Brick (2005)

Film Club presents Brick (2005) by Rian Johnson

Finally! The first screening of Film Club has arrived! We’ll be screening films back to back the coming weeks (instead of every other week) alternating Wednesday & Thursday. But back to Brick (2005)! The plot is essentially about Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Brendan investigating the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend implicated with an underground drug ring–kinda like a highschool modern noir film. It’s one of JGL’s earlier lead roles, so come check it out at least for that.

Screening on Thursday, October 20th, 2011
6:00 to 8:30 pm
@ Information Technology Building (ITB) 139

Here’s the trailer: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0393109/

Film Club 2011-2012

Greetings everyone! Film Club has been ‘renewed’ for another year at McMaster and will provide ongoing film screenings for the academic year!

We were able to show nine films last year and we will try to push for 10-12 across the two semesters. That being said, for newcomers and interested members, the way the club works is basically you show up to screenings you want to go and have a good time. We’ve always had a very sporadic number of attendees across all the screenings and I don’t think this will change.

Looking back on the films screened last year, I think some films may have been selected without much thought for the audience (sometimes kind of gender restricting?). Will try to think through the film selections more carefully this year. And please feel free to make suggestions as well!

Hopefully the screenings can start sometime late September or early October, regardless, we will update you by email/website so stay tuned.

9. Don Hertzfeldt

I am a banana

Film Club presents a Chronicle of Short Films by Don Hertzfeldt

“My spoon is too big!”
“I am a banana!”

You may recognize these classic lines from Don Hertzfeldt animated viral short Rejected (2000) where a series of off-the-wall family channel infomercials are compiled into a hilarious and bizarre experience. What you may not know however is that Don’s repertoire extends much further than random dark humor of Rejected! He has a large body of work that has gone largely unnoticed by the mainstream audience and I think it will be worthwhile to see what else he’s done. Don’s Academy-Award nominated and Palme d’Or winning animated works have received over one hundred and fifty awards around the world!

So for film club’s final screening, we’re going go through a chronicle of Don Hertzfeldt’s works!

Screening on Tuesday, March 29th, 2011
6:30 to 8:20 pm
@ MDCL 1110

1. Animation Show Introduction (2003) – 3:04
2.  Ah L’amour (1995) – 2:16
3. Genre (1996) – 4:57
4.  Lily and Jim (1997) – 13:13
5.  Billy’s Balloon (1998) – 5:26
6. Rejected (2000) – 9:20
7. The Animation Show Intermission (2003) – 3:05
8. The Meaning of Life (2005) – 12:25
9. Everything will be okay (2006) – 16:58
10. I am so proud of you (2008) – 21:35
11. Wisdom Teeth (2010) – 5:55
12. Animation Show Ending (2003) –  1:45

Total Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Hope to see you all there!

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0381116/

8. Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986)

Castle in the Sky (1986)

Film Club presents Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986) by Hayao Miyazaki

Taking a break from live-action feature films we turn towards some animated gems! We’ll be screening an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki, often referenced as the Walt Disney of Japan. Most people may recognize his later films such as Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle and Ponyo, which can be seen as maturations of his earlier works like Castle in the Sky. Miyazaki’s early films produced with Studio Ghibli are recognizably Miyazaki-esque, the narrative leading with a female protagonist thrown into a string of events that seem too overwhelming for her to handle. The animation could be seen as a bit old-fashioned but still retains that beautiful level of quality for a film that was made in the 1980’s.

TL;DR: It’s an awesome and beautiful film. Come see it!

Screening on Thursday, March 24th, 2011
6:30 to 8:45 pm
@ BSB 104

Here’s the trailer: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092067/

7. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Film Club presents Pulp Fiction (1994) by Quentin Tarantino

Apologies for the short notice folks! But alas, we shall be screening the crime classic Pulp Fiction on Monday, directed by none other than the Quentin Tarantino. Starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and Bruce Willis, the film highlights itself in its eclectic and refreshing dialogue, as well as its unconventional narrative structure. If you haven’t seen a Quentin Tarantino film before, prepare for a treat!

Screening on Monday, March 7th, 2011
6:30 to 9:00 pm (running time is 150 minutes)
@ BSB 108

Here’s the trailer: 
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/

6. Casablanca (1942)

Casablanca (1942)

It’s Valentine’s Day. We’re watching Casablanca (1942). ‘Nuff said.

Screening on Monday, February 14th, 2011
6:30 to 8:20 pm
@ BSB 120

Hope to see you there!
(Obligatory: bring your dates!)

Here’s the trailer:

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/

5. Lost in Translation (2003)

Bill Murray in Lost in Translation

Film Club presents Lost in Translation (2003) by Sofia Coppola

Maybe it’s no surprise that the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, the director of the Godfather, would also have a knack for film-making but I feel Sofia has proved her mastery with Lost in Translation. The film revolves around Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlet Johansson), two individuals at completely different points in theirs lives somehow stumbling into a miraculous relationship that is the centerpiece of the narrative. The film establishes a strong sense of alienation and loneliness set within the culturally foreign backdrop of Japan, whereupon the two characters begin their intimate encounter. Narratives aside, the film is also beautifully shot and the soundtrack is excellent to boot. One of my favourite films to revisit. I hope to see you guys there.

Screening on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
6:30 to 8:20 pm (running time is 104 minutes)
@ Psychology Building 155

Here’s the trailer:

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0335266/